Saturday, April 27, 2013

Just saw this afternoon Oblivion, the new Joseph Kosinski movie - who did TRON Legacy - with Tom Cruise and Morgan Freeman, and i enjoyed it. Here is Oblivion synopsis and i will not tell you more about the storyline: "In 2077, Oabout the war, and may even put the fate of mankind in his hands".All the beauty of Oblivion is in its filming and i have to say that esthetically speaking the uncluttered style of the movie is wonderful. The script is an adaptation of Joseph Kosinski own graphic novel even if the end of it will remind you Moebius comic books mixed with some Kubrick style inspiration. Actors are pretty good - even Tom Cruise with all his limits that we know - and a special mention for Olga Kurylenko playing perfectly a sensitive character.If you decide to go and watch it the most important is to don't read any reviews as they might include some spoilers infos that you definitely must not know to enjoy the film - that's why i can't tell you a lot about it! All is not perfect, but it's a different kind of sci-fi movie and visually speaking you should enjoy it a lot!Picture: copyright Universal

Here is something really cool to start the week-end, a very funny and really well done parody video of Star Wars by director Sam Macaroni, called "Return of the Empire" and acclaimed by the Huffington Post, U.S.A Today and many others as one of the best Star Wars parody ever made, and technically speaking it's indeed really well done!

Tom Staggs announced it yesterday, a "Monstrous Summer" is coming to U.S Disney Parks. On the backlot of Disney Hollywood Studios guests will find the Monsters University Student Union, complete with a view of the campus...

...while at Disney California Adventure they'll find the monsters outside the University dorms recreated in Hollywood Land. This one specifically will be interesting to see as, as Mice Age told us recently, WDI Imagineers intend to transform in the next years the area of Hollywood Land behind the Monsters Inc ride in a "Monstropolis" - with the addition of the Monsters Inc "Doors" inverted coaster which was previously planned for DHS. So it'll be interesting to have a look at the decor they'll put in place this summer as it could give us an idea of how this part of the land might look in the future, may be a bit like the artwork below.

Mike and Sulley will also be part of the DCA Pixar Play parade ( artwork on top ) and new jokes have been added at WDW MK Monsters Inc Laugh Floor. And at Epcot a giant Mike Wazowski is now projected on Spaceship Earth. Mike Roddy from Walt Disney Creative Entertainment tell you how they did it in this video...

...and here is how it look - stay to the end of the video, there is a surprise!

A new short clip of Iron Man 3 showing a part of the sequence of the attack on Air Force One" has been released. If you didn't know yet if you 'll go next week to see the movie or not this clip should decide you. No need to say that there is spoilers ahead!

Talking about Iron Man, Disney will add to its Disney Magic ship a "Marvel Academy", the first time that Marvel super-heroes will be introduced on a Disney Cruise Line ship.

A new parade is coming at WDW Magic Kingdom in 2014 and it'll be called the "Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade! According to Disney Parks blog the parade will bring a celebration of New Fantasyland to main Street U.S.A with innovative - and pretty good looking i must say - parade floats, vibrant costumes and original soundtrack. The parade will highlight the stories of The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan, Dimbo, Sleeping Beauty, Pinnochio, Tangled and Brave among others.

Graphic designer Matt Ferguson caught Marvel's attention last year and created exclusive posters for The Avengers. He's back to share his latest posters creations, this tile about Iron Man 3 and Thor, The Dark World, and they look gorgeous as you can see above and below.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

WDI released through Disney Parks a new video offering a sneak peek inside WDW New Fantasyland Princess Fairytale Hall and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Imagineers Jason Grandt, Pam Rawlins, and Dave Minichiello take you behind the scenes for an update on these awaited attractions. Have a look, and don't miss too the concept-art above in a high-res version and the new one of Princess Fairytale Hall below!

The trailer 3 for Monsters University is now on line and here it is! No surprise that it was released today as a WDW media event with Tom Staggs is also expected later today, to announce the rumored "Monstrous Summer" promotion which very probably will involved characters from the movie.

Here is something really cool painted by an artist named Abe Lopez, and you'll identify instantly the famous paintings of the Haunted Mansion stretching room with here DC comics heroes and villains instead than the usual characters! Those of you interested to order a print can send him an email at: AberLopez@gmail.com The print Size is 11x17 inches - Price: $15 +shipping (payment through Paypal)

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Here is the promised WDS Ratatouille ride update. Now that spring arrived at last at DLP and WDS workers on site are rushing to put in place the metallic structures of the rooftops to complete the theming of the show building and restaurant facades. In six months from now, if not before, the exterior theming should be finished and we will have a pretty good idea of how this new mini land will look. First ,let's have a look at the latest pictures of the construction site, thanks to Max Fan D&M contributor and DLRP Welcome webmaster.

The "black hole" on the picture below will be the attraction entrance.

On the right side of the land they also transform the left side of the previous costuming building which will also be themed like parisians facades, and inside which will take place part of the outside queue line for the ride.

Talking about the ride itself, here are some news about it. First, i remind you that, according to the french law, anyone can ask to have a look at Chessy's city hall at the ride construction permit which include the ride blueprints, the list of the scenes, and more. It was of course extremely interesting to have a look, but don't count on me to reveal the whole ride storyline scene by scene. That said, i can confirm what is true and what is not among all the rumors posted since the last two years on many forums, as i think it's better for you to know what you must not expect to avoid being disappointed when the ride will open. What is not true is that some scenes of the ride will take the guests down in the sewers and that we will then go out in the countryside, to find after our way back to Gusteau's kitchen. May be it was in WDI preliminary storyline three years ago, but not anymore. Instead all the scenes of the ride will take place inside or around the kitchen with some inside Gusteau's restaurant ( i'm not talking here about the "real" restaurant which will be built near the ride show building ). The element which is rumored since a long time and which is still right is that the queue decor - at least for the part inside the show building will look like Paris rooftops, as well, by the way, as the one of the loading room and the first scene of the ride.

Above, a picture of a preliminary concept for the ride vehicle, here for disabled guests.

As expected the ride will use a trackless vehicle system like in HKDL Mystic Manor - see WDI preliminary concept above - and 3D projections on giant screens. And just like at Mystic Manor more than one vehicle will share the same scene. There will be ten different scenes in the ride, using for most of them giant hemispherical screens and sometime three vehicles will face together the same big screen, sometime each of the three vehicles will be placed individually in front of smaller screens before moving to the next scene. Expect, too, "heat or cold" temperature effects in some of the scenes, effects which will be of course justified by what will happen in the scenes ( don't ask me what ). And the whole ride will take place on one floor only, which might look strange when you look at the height of the show building but the reason why the show building is so high is because - in addition to the giant screens - the ride will include huge decors which will be necessary to achieve the illusion that guests are reduced at the size of a rat! I don't have any info about the length of the ride but considering the number of scenes i think the ride should last between 4 and 5 minutes. The english title of the attraction is still supposed to be "Ratatouille Kitchen Calamity" but a french title approved recently and to be revealed later this year also exist. I can't reveal it but it includes a funny play-on-words on the word "toque" which in french means a "cook hat" but also "crazy" or "nutty"!

That's all for today about the Ratatouille ride. The attraction surely looks great but unfortunately you'll still have to wait 15 more months before enjoying it as the ride will probably not open before summer 2014!

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Editor's Note: I have two new updates for you today! One is a new DLP update with great pictures and latest infos about the park, and the other, below, is a new one about HKDL Mystic Point with official press release and new official pictures! Scroll down!

HKDL released its official press release for Mystic Point and Mystic Manor, which includes interesting facts about the ride as well as new high-res pictures! Have a read, and for more pictures, videos of the queue decor, pre-show and full ride go HERE!One-of-a-kind themed area Mystic Point opens at Hong Kong Disneyland on May 17 Immersive Storytelling Combined with Technology bring a truly mysterious adventure to Guests(April 21, 2013 – Hong Kong) Mystic Point, the final chapter of Hong Kong Disneyland’s current expansion project, will officially open on May 17, 2013. Rich in storytelling, Mystic Manor, an all-new, original attraction within Mystic Point, is home to brand new characters, special effects and architecture, each of which seamlessly blends with technology designed to transport guests into a strange and fantastic universe beyond their imaginations.

The story of Mystic Pointfollows the adventures of eccentric explorer and art collector Lord Henry Mystic, who invites Guests to board the Mystic Magneto-Electric Carriage for a tour of his private museum located within his Victorian manor house. When Lord Henry’s companion monkey Albert mischievously opens a newly acquired magical music box, the enchanted Music Dust inside is released and, a mysterious journey begins.

This final chapter of the current expansion project is comprised of the iconic Mystic Manor, which features one of the most sophisticated systems ever built by Disney, a themed photo area called Garden of Wonders, a new restaurant and a merchandise shop, each of which plays an important role in creating a fully immersive experience within Hong Kong Disneyland.

Mark Schirmer, Creative Director, Walt Disney Imagineering (Hong Kong) said, “Mystic Manor is a brand new concept with new characters, special effects and architecture that no Guest has ever seen before in any of the Disney Parks worldwide. From illustrators, model-makers and painters, to special effects, ride design and landscaping, the whole team came together to bring the mysterious story to life for Guests. We also created the fun and identifiable looks for Lord Henry and his companion monkey Albert, which I know Guests are going to love.”

The opening operation team started the testing and training since last year to ensure smooth operation for the opening of Mystic Point. Launching after the popular Toy Story Land and Grizzly Gulch, Mystic Point will continue to bring even more entertainment and exciting experiences to Guests

Utilizes special effects to create an immersive adventure of theatrical wondersThe Mystic Magneto-Electric Carriage inside the Mystic Manor is the first trackless ride that applies radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology ever built by Disney. Four carriages depart at a time, following Albert to explore Mystic Manor. When Albert opens a newly arrived artifact – a beautifully carved wooden music box reputed to possess strange powers – he is amazed to discover an enchanting tune flowing from the open box, along with a ribbon of mystical energy. Whatever this ribbon touches – artifacts, statues or paintings – the object springs to life.Guests in every vehicle will get a front-row seat experience of the 40 visual effects created by different technologies and 36 projectors, including four ultra-high-definition (4k) projectors. The trackless Mystic Magneto-Electric Carriage ride can be positioned in any direction at any moment, which Guests never know their next way to go. And with the different perspectives of the 4 vehicles, Guests would want to ride it over and over again to geton a highly immersive adventure full of surprises, special effects and theatrical wonders.

In addition to the sophisticated ride system and special effects, a modern, high-fidelity soundtrack written by Grammy-winning, Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated composer Danny Elfman supports the action of the story. The soundtrack features a recurring musical theme – the haunting tune of the music box – that weaves its way through the rooms of Mystic Manor as the story progresses.

Mysterious artifacts present a unique, eye-opening experienceMystic Point focuses on immersing Guests in the story with its detailed design. There are more than 7,000 artifacts throughout the themed land. In the Garden of Wonders, several ancient sculptures and mosaics with unbelievable 3D illusions are displayed. Guests must view them from particular angles to unlock their mysteries, which offer the most bewildering and mystifying photo-taking experiences!

As vast as Lord Henry’s collection is, precious artifacts from different historical backgrounds are temporarily stored at the Mystic Point Freight Depot, where Lord Henry’s grandnephews share stories with Guests from their adventures with Lord Henry. They have also invited friends they have met along the way to join them, and cultural ambassadors appear in traditional Native American, Egyptian, Bulgarian, Indian and Mexican attire, further enhancing the exotic international flavor of Mystic Point.Enjoy international cuisines in exotic surroundingsAfter visiting Mystic Manor, Guests can dine in the Explorer’s Club Restaurant – a 500-seat restaurant celebrating the globetrotting exploits of Lord Henry and the Society of Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A.). The restaurant has five themed dining areas where Guests are invited to dine in rooms that reflect cultures and styles of exotic locations, including Egypt, Russia, Morocco, India and China. A diverse range of cuisines with popular dishes from Indonesia, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia are served, including dishes which are making their first appearances in the Park, such as Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup, Sautéed Rice Cake with Cabbage and Korean Chili Sauce, Shabu Shabu with Mixed Vegetables, and more. To add even more wonder to this mysterious adventure, don’t miss the newly introduced special beverage Blueberry Myst.

For Guests who wish to purchase Mystic Point-themed collectibles or other limited edition merchandise from Disney Parks around the world, a visit to TheArchive Shop is a must. There are over 140 items along four main themes: Mystic Manor, Mickey Family Adventure at Mystic Manor, Disney Parks Around the World and Theme Specific for Guests to bring home as souvenirs of their extraordinary journey.( end of HKDJ press release )I would like to add to all this an interesting picture posted by Lance Hart on Screamscape which is a picture of Mystic Manor model on which, thanks to what we know now about the ride, someone has indicated the track of the ride.

Parisians waited for it during five long winter months, but that's it, spring finally arrived in France and at Disneyland Paris! Thanks to Max Fan, D&M contributor and Dlrp Welcome webmaster we have fresh pictures shot just days ago to prove it, and there we go for a new DLP update starting with the Disneyland Park!

As you know starting this summer DLP guests will be able to buy the light ears which will be synchronized with the Disney Dreams! show. But to achieve the transmission the park needed to place 40 "earmitters", sending infra-red waves, and they placed them both on Central Plaza and on Main Street roofs as you will see in the pictures below.

So, everything is in place, now the question is: will DLP guests will buy these light ears which won't be cheap? We'll have the answer this summer!

Some minors rehab, now: in Fantasyland, the Cinderella carriage at l'Auberge de Cendrillon is now hidden behind fences, probably for some refurb...

...while at Discoveryland fences near Space Mountain exit are now gone. Apparently they were there during some works on the vegetation and here is how it looked before...

...and how it looks now.

The castle at the end of the afternoon...

Max also filmed the DLP "Disney Magic on Parade" which include the "Magic Everywhere" song and here is the video.

Let's move to the WDS where the sunny spring weather arrived too - well, it's just next door!

And what about the Ratatouille dark ride, you ask? No news? Oh yes, plenty of news, so come back tomorrow to read a special update about it that you surely don't want to miss! Also, an important news for those of you looking for an author signed copy of the Disneyland Paris, From Sketch to Reality book in which you have the whole park in 320 pages with 750 photos including 250 WDI renderings: there is still only TWO signed copies available in the english edition. French collector signed copies are also always available.I remind you that the collector's edition signed copies are sold at the same price than non-signed copies so hurry up and place your order today if you really want a signed one! You'll find below a one click Paypal button as well as a video showing the whole book. And you can have more infos about this gorgeous 320 pages book HERE.

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